Study in Canada: a guide for international students
How Canadian degrees, provincial applications, study permits, costs, scholarships and intakes work, and what to ask a Canadian admissions representative.
How do international students apply to study in Canada?
Applications go to each university directly or through a provincial application service such as the Ontario Universities' Application Centre, with transcripts, an English test and, for some programmes, a statement or portfolio. Admitted students apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for a study permit, which requires a letter of acceptance, proof of funds and, since 2024, a provincial or territorial attestation letter for most applicants.
Why students consider Canada
Families in North India, the Gulf and South Asia shortlist Canada for a combination that few destinations match: English- or French-medium public universities with consistent quality, co-op programmes that build paid work experience into a degree, and a long-standing route from study to work and residence. Cities such as Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal have large communities from our markets.
The trade-offs: study-permit rules and caps on international student numbers have tightened since 2024, winters are long, and living costs in the largest cities are high. Verify the current permit rules before planning around them.
Ask universities directly
Students interested in studying in Canada can discuss it with participating universities at World Study Expo. Which institutions take part is published on each edition page as they confirm.
Degrees, levels and how applications work
Degree levels
- College diplomas and advanced diplomas: one to three years at a public college, often with pathways into a degree.
- Bachelor's: three or four years depending on province and programme; honours degrees are four years.
- Master's: one to two years; course-based and thesis-based routes.
- PhD: four years or more, often funded.
How to apply
Ontario universities take applications through OUAC; British Columbia and Alberta have their own services; elsewhere, and for most postgraduate programmes, you apply directly. Deadlines for September entry usually fall between December and March, earlier for competitive programmes and for scholarships. Colleges often have rolling admissions with several intakes.
Because provincial attestation letters are allocated in limited numbers, apply early and ask the institution how it handles them.
Entry and English-language requirements
Entry requirements
Universities state requirements against your school system, usually as a minimum average across specified subjects, with prerequisites for engineering, science and business. Canadian universities admit on final results but many issue conditional offers on predicted grades. Postgraduate entry looks at your bachelor's degree average, prerequisites and, for thesis-based master's, a potential supervisor.
English- and French-language requirements
English-medium programmes accept IELTS, TOEFL, PTE and CAEL at minimums set by each university; French-medium programmes in Quebec and elsewhere require French proficiency. Some universities offer English pathway programmes with conditional admission. Note that the study-permit process may also have language expectations; check the official IRCC guidance.
Tuition, living costs and scholarships
Tuition and living costs
International tuition is set by each institution and province and varies by programme; colleges are generally cheaper than universities. Living costs vary sharply between Toronto or Vancouver and smaller cities. The study-permit application requires proof of funds for tuition and living costs at a level set by IRCC, which has risen in recent years. Ask institutions for a written estimate of total annual cost.
Scholarships
Most Canadian universities offer entrance scholarships to international undergraduates based on admission average, some automatic and some by application. Postgraduate funding comes through departmental awards, assistantships and national programmes for research students. Government scholarships for international students are limited compared with some destinations. Ask each university which awards you could be considered for; scholarships depend on the university's criteria and are not guaranteed.
Intakes, accommodation and student life
Intakes and accommodation
September is the main intake, with January widely available and May at many colleges and some universities. First-year students usually have access to university residence; later years and postgraduates commonly rent privately. Co-op programmes alternate study terms with paid work terms and are a distinctive reason to choose particular institutions.
Questions to ask universities about Canada
- Does this programme have a co-op or internship option, and how competitive is placement?
- How does the university handle the provincial attestation letter, and by when should I apply?
- What average do you require from my curriculum, and which subjects are prerequisites?
- Which entrance scholarships are automatic and which need an application?
- What is the total annual cost including residence, and what deposit is required?
- Is there a pathway from a college diploma into year two or three of the degree?
Discuss Canada with universities that recruit from your market
Students interested in studying in Canada can discuss programmes, co-op, entrance scholarships and the admissions timeline with participating universities at World Study Expo, in person in the UAE in September 2027 and online across the Middle East, India and Asia in October. Whether Canadian institutions are among the exhibitors is shown on each edition page as participants confirm.
Studying in Canada: your questions
What is a provincial attestation letter?
A letter issued through the province or territory that most international students have needed since 2024 to apply for a Canadian study permit. Institutions receive a limited allocation, so ask how and when your acceptance would be supported by one.
How long is a bachelor's degree in Canada?
Three or four years depending on the province and programme; honours degrees, which most students seeking postgraduate study take, are four years.
What is a co-op programme?
A degree that alternates academic terms with paid work terms arranged with employers, typically adding a year to the programme. Availability and competitiveness vary by university and subject.
Are there scholarships for international students in Canada?
Yes, mainly entrance scholarships from universities based on admission average, and departmental funding for research students. Each has its own criteria; ask the university for specifics.
Can international students work in Canada during and after study?
Study permits generally allow limited work during study, and eligible graduates can apply for a post-graduation work permit. Hours, eligibility and programme conditions are set by IRCC and have changed recently; check the official Government of Canada site.
What are the intakes in Canada?
September is the main intake; January is widely available and May is offered by many colleges and some university programmes.
Is a college diploma a route into a Canadian degree?
Often, yes. Many colleges have pathway agreements that transfer diploma credits into year two or three of a partner university's degree; confirm the specific agreement before enrolling.
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Official sources
Rules on visas, work rights and fees change. These guides summarise the structure; check the current position on the official sites before acting.
- Government of Canada: study permits
- EduCanada (Government of Canada)
- Universities Canada
- Ontario Universities' Application Centre
Last reviewed 16 September 2026 by the World Study Expo editorial team. General guidance, not immigration, financial or legal advice.